Systems for the prevention or treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome

ABSTRACT

Apparatuses and methods for preventing and/or treating carpal tunnel syndrome are disclosed. One such apparatus comprises a splint for wearing on a portion of an upper extremity of an individual, a warning mechanism carried by the splint and a switch mechanism carried by the splint and electrically coupled to the warning mechanism. The switch mechanism is operable to activate the warning mechanism upon extension or flexion of the hand beyond a predetermined range of motion and thereby alert the user of such undesirable motion of the hand.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is the National Stage of International Application No.PCT/US01/04138, filed Feb. 9, 2001, and claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Application No. 60/242,092, filed Oct. 23, 2000, U.S.Provisional Application No. 60/181,899, filed Feb. 11, 2000, and U.S.Provisional Application No. 60/181,210, filed Feb. 9, 2000.

FIELD

The present invention relates to preventing and treating hand disorders,and more particularly, to preventing and treating carpal tunnelsyndrome.

BACKGROUND

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a nerve disorder in the hand that is caused byswollen, inflamed or scarred tissue as well as repetitive or excessivemotion injuries that cause excessive pressure on the median nerve withinthe carpal tunnel. The median nerve supplies sensation to the volar,also known as the plamar, aspect of the thumb, index finger, middlefinger and the ring finger. Symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome includetingling, numbness, burning sensations, pain. This involves not only thearea of innervation described but may also radiate above the wrist intothe forearm. An individual with carpal tunnel syndrome may alsoexperience stiffness or cramping of hands, and may loss the ability tograsp objects or operate certain devices commonly used in theindividual's household or workplace.

Treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome has included rest from provocativeactivities, anti-inflammatory medications, steroid injections, surgery,and/or the use of wrist splints to fix the wrist in either a neutral orextended position. While these measures may control symptomstemporarily, they have proven to be less successful in permanentlycontrolling or relieving symptoms.

Surgery may offer a more permanent control of symptoms, however, thereis a period of temporary disability following surgery. Also, there areinherent risks with any surgical procedure. In addition, it has beenproven to be an expensive method of treatment. Lastly, there is apossibility of symptoms returning when one resumes their pre-surgicalactivities and in some cases more severe symptoms may develop due topost-surgical scar formation in the carpal tunnel.

Neutral or extended wrist splints have provided control of symptoms forsome people during sleeping hours. However, use of these splints duringwaking hours has proven to be impractical for most people due to therigid immobilization of the wrist and partial immobilization of the baseof the thumb that these splints create, in view of the degree of flexionand extension that may be required for performing certain tasks. Infact, such restricted range of motion of the wrist and thumb mayaggravate carpal tunnel syndrome due to the abnormal manner in which thefingers and thumb would be forced to function while wearing the splint.In addition, a wearer is likely to cause excessive pressure on the limbfrom positioning the arm or wrist in an abnormal manner to compensatefor the lack of mobility. Consequently, the rigid portions of a splinttransfers the excessive pressure, typically at the distal and proximalends of the splint, to the adjacent portions of the limb, therebycausing pain or numbness in those portions. Also, prolonged use of awrist splint may cause muscle atrophy or wasting.

Further, wrist splints are disadvantageous in that they do not assistthe patient in changing or modifying the behavior (e.g., hyperextensionor hyperflexion) that is causing the trauma responsible for carpaltunnel syndrome. In fact, it is likely that the patient will continue toapply excessive pressure on the affected limb, which may keep himdependent on using the splint at nights to prevent worsening of hissymptoms.

Thus, a need exists for apparatuses and methods for treating andpreventing carpal tunnel syndrome that overcome the disadvantages of theprior art.

SUMMARY

According to one aspect, an apparatus for preventing and treating carpaltunnel syndrome comprises a splint for wearing on a portion of an upperextremity of an individual, a switch mechanism connected to the splintand a warning mechanism electrically coupled to the switch mechanism.The switch mechanism is operable to activate the warning mechanism uponextension or flexion of the hand beyond a predetermined range of motionand thereby alert the user of such undesirable motion of the hand. Byalerting the user as to when undesirable hyperflexion or hyperextensionis occurring, the user will be able to modify behavior accordingly so asto eliminate the excessive pressure being applied to the wrist andcausing the trauma responsible for carpal tunnel syndrome.

In one exemplary embodiment, the splint comprises a forearm portionpivotally coupled to a hand portion so as to define a pivot axiscoinciding with the extension and flexion axis of the hand to permitextension and flexion of the hand. A multi-level rotary switch isoperatively connected to the forearm portion and the hand portion andoperable to activate the warning mechanism if the motion of the handexceeds a predetermined, threshold set by user. A microcontroller may beelectrically connected to the rotary switch for recording the amount,duration, and frequency of the flexion and extension of the hand. Thisinformation can be downloaded to a computer where it can be analyzed.Such information can be used to determine the etiology of carpal tunnelsyndrome for a particular patient. The forearm portion of the splint maycomprise a proximal portion coupled to a distal portion in such a mannerso as to permit radial and ulnar motion of the hand. The splint may alsoinclude a selectively lockable pivot joint to mechanically limit theallowable extension and flexion of the hand.

In another embodiment, a switch mechanism carried by a splint isoperable to generate a radio signal to activate a remote mounted alarm.

A method for preventing and treating carpal tunnel syndrome in anindividual comprises detecting information motions of the hand of theindividual and immediately notifying the individual of detected motionsresponsible for carpal tunnel syndrome.

It is therefore a principal object of the present invention to provide away to prevent or relieve the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of the dorsal side of an apparatus fortreating carpal tunnel syndrome installed on a right upper extremity.

FIG. 1A is a schematic view of a remote mounted alarm mechanism for theapparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 showing theapparatus integrated with a splint installed on the right upperextremity.

FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of another apparatus for treating carpaltunnel syndrome.

FIG. 4 is a schematic of an electrical feedback system for the apparatusof FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a schematic of another electrical feedback system for theapparatus of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6A is a schematic side view of another apparatus for treatingcarpal tunnel syndrome.

FIG. 6B is a schematic plan view of the dorsal side of the apparatus ofFIG. 6A installed on a right upper extremity.

FIG. 6C is a schematic plan view of the palmar side of the apparatus ofFIG. 6B.

FIG. 7 is a schematic plan view of the dorsal side of another apparatusfor treating carpal tunnel syndrome installed on a right upperextremity.

FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view of another apparatus for treatingcarpal tunnel syndrome showing a selectively lockable pivot joint.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown an apparatus 10 for preventing andtreating carpal tunnel syndrome installed on the right upper extremityof a patient. The apparatus 10 in the form shown includes a switchmechanism 11 comprising a lever 14 of a microswitch 15 and a flexiblestring or cord 12, such as an elastomeric band, on the dorsal side ofthe hand. The distal end of the cord 12 is secured to the index fingerin the form shown and coupled to the lever 14 at the other end.Alternatively, the distal end of the cord may be secured to any suitablepoint on the dorsal side of the hand. The lever 14 is positionedproximally of the wrist of the wearer (as viewed in FIG. 1) and carriedby or otherwise mounted to a suitable splint or other mounting deviceadapted to be worn on the patient. In the illustrated embodiment, thesplint comprises a band or wrap 20 secured to the forearm of the wearer.The lever 14 is electrically connected to one or more conventionalwarning mechanisms, such as an audible alarm 16 and vibrating motor 18,which are also carried by or otherwise mounted to the wrap 20. Also, thewarning mechanism may comprise a warning light A selector switch (notshown) may be provided to allow the wearer to use either the alarm 16,vibrating motor 18, or both. A battery 28 is electrically connected tothe microswitch 15, alarm 16 and vibrating motor 18 to power theapparatus 10.

Upon excessive flexion of the hand, the cord 12 moves the lever 14distally (i.e., towards the fingertips) to complete an electricalcircuit, thereby activating the warning mechanism and alerting thewearer that he or she has hyperflexed the wrist beyond a predeterminedrange of motion. By alerting the wearer as to when undesirablehyperflexion is occurring, he will be able to modify his behavior so asto eliminate the excessive pressure being applied to the wrist andcausing carpal tunnel syndrome.

The apparatus 10 may include a second flexible cord (not shown) on thepalmar side of the hand to detect excessive extension of the wrist. Insuch a case, the second cord is secured at one end to the proximalportion of the finger and coupled to the lever 14 at the other end.Thus, upon excessive extension of the wrist, the second cord moves thelever 14 proximally (i.e., away from the fingertips) to complete theelectrical circuit, thereby activating the warning mechanism andalerting the wearer that he or she has hyperextended the wrist beyond apredetermined range of motion. In another modification of the presentembodiment, the apparatus 10 may be provided with a flexible cord todetect excessive extension and the cord 12 for detecting excessiveflexion, such as shown in FIG. 1, could be eliminated. In all cases,however, the amount of extension or flexion required before a warningmechanism is activated can be varied by adjusting the length of theappropriate cord.

As shown in FIG. 2, the apparatus 10 may be integrated with a splint 22,preferably made of a flexible fabric like material, for wearing on thehand and forearm. In this embodiment, one end of a cord 12 is secured tothe dorsal side of the splint 22 at 24. The cord 12 extends through aninternal sleeve 13 sewn into the splint 22 and is coupled at its otherend to the lever 14. The lever 14 and the electrical components (e.g.,alarm, vibrating motor, battery) of the apparatus 10 may be securedwithin a pocket 26 sewn into the splint 22. A second cord (not shown)may be provided in a similar manner on the palmer side of the sleeve 22.

In a modification to the apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 2, the switchmechanism 11 is operable to generate a radio signal to activate a remotemounted alarm mechanism 7 (as shown in FIG. 1A).

Referring to FIG. 3, there is shown another apparatus 40 for preventingand treating carpal tunnel syndrome. The apparatus 40 comprises a splint42 for wearing on an affected upper extremity. The splint 42 includes aforearm piece 44 pivotally coupled to a hand piece 46 so as to define apivot axis at 48 extending generally perpendicular to the plane of thepage bearing FIG. 3. Consequently, when the splint is installed on anupper extremity, the pivot axis is generally coincident with theextension and flexion axis of the wrist to permit extension or flexionof the hand/hand piece 46. In one form, the forearm piece 44 and handpiece 46 of the splint 42 are each made of a flexible fabric likematerial having integral, rigid braces extending along the sidesthereof, wherein the braces of the hand piece and forearm piece on eachside are pivotally coupled at their adjacent ends (as shown in FIG. 7without a fabric covering).

A multi-position rotary switch 50 is operatively connected to theforearm piece 44 and the hand piece 46 at the pivot axis. The rotaryswitch 50 includes a rotatable element 52 having fixed end at 48 and afree end 64 for electrically contacting a plurality of circumferentiallyspaced contacts 54. Element 52 is operable to rotate about the pivotaxis upon extension or flexion of the hand/hand piece 46. Accordingly,the free end 64 will electrically contact the contacts 54, each of whichcorresponds to a different position of the hand/hand piece 46, as thehand/hand piece 46 pivots about the pivot axis.

Referring to FIG. 4, there is shown an electrical feedback system toalert the user should any hyperextension or hyperflexion occur. Thefeedback system comprises a logic circuit 56 electrically connected toeach of the contacts 54. Electrically connected to the logic circuit 56is an audible alarm 58, a vibrating motor 60, and a battery 62. Othertypes of warning mechanisms, such as a warning light, may also be used.A selector switch (not shown) may be provided to allow the wearer to useeither the alarm 16, vibrating motor 18, or both. These components arecarried by or otherwise mounted to the splint 42 in any suitable manner.

The logic circuit 56 includes a user input pin (not shown), which allowsthe user to set the rotary switch 50 to activate either the alarm 16 orthe vibrating motor 18 for at least two positions of the hand/band piece46 (i.e., at two of the contacts 54). Thus, the user can define apredetermined range of motion for extension and flexion of the handbeyond which one of the warning mechanisms (whichever one is selected bythe user) will alert the user of such excessive extension and flexion.In a working embodiment, red and green warning lights are electricallyconnected to the circuit 56 wherein the green light is illuminated ifthe hand is within the predetermined range of motion and the red lightis illuminated if the hand is beyond the predetermined range of motion.

In a modification to the apparatus 40 of FIGS. 3 and 4, a rotarypotentiometer can be used in lieu of a multi-position rotary switch toachieve the same effect of the rotary switch.

As shown in FIG. 5, the logic circuit 56 of FIG. 4 can be replaced witha microcontroller 68 having a computer readable medium for measuring andrecording the amount, duration, and frequency of the flexion andextension of the hand and other useful information as a function of timeand date. The microcontroller 68 has input/output lines 70 to downloadthe recorded information to a desktop or laptop computer where theinformation can be reviewed and analyzed by the user and/or the user'sdoctor. Such information will enable the user to determine which tasksor activities put the user at risk for prolonged, or excessivehyperextension or hyperflexion that cause the trauma responsible forcarpal tunnel syndrome.

FIGS. 6A-6C illustrate another apparatus 80, which comprises a splint 82for wearing on an upper extremity. In the illustrated embodiment, thesplint 82 comprises a flexible, one-piece construction having a handportion 86 for covering the hand and a forearm portion 84 for coveringthe forearm. Such a construction for the splint 82 is advantageous inthat rigid braces which would otherwise prevent ulnar and radial motionof the hand are not required.

The apparatus 80 includes a switch mechanism for detecting excessiveextension or flexion. The switch mechanism comprises a multi-positionlinear switch 92 operatively connected to a dorsal cord 94 (FIG. 6B) andtwo palmar cords 98 (FIG. 6C). In a modification of the presentembodiment, a linear potentiometer may be used in lieu of the linearswitch 92 to achieve the same effect of the lever switch.

The linear switch 92 is carried by or otherwise mounted to the dorsalside of the forearm portion 84. In the illustrated form, the linearswitch 92 is contained in a sleeve or pocket 100 sewn into the forearmportion 84 (FIG. 6B). Alternatively, the linear switch may be positionedin a similar manner on the palmar side of the forearm portion 84, inwhich case there would be two dorsal cords and a single palmar cord. Ineither case, the linear switch 92 is electrically connected to anelectrical feedback system, such as previously described with respect tothe rotary switch 50 of FIG. 4, to detect and alert the user of anyhyperextension or hyperflexion. Like the rotary switch 50, the linearswitch 92 is a multi-position switch which allows the user to define apredetermined range of motion by inputting the levels at which an alarmmechanism is to be activated. If desired, the microcontroller 68 of FIG.5 may be used to record information relating to the motion of the hand.

As best shown in FIG. 6B, the dorsal cord 94 extends through a sleeve102 sewn into the dorsal side of the forearm portion 84 and hand portion86. The distal end of the cord 94 is connected to a slide contact 78 ofthe linear switch 92 and its proximal end is connected to the handportion 86 at 96. As shown in FIG. 6C, each palmar cord 98 is secured tothe palmar side of the hand portion 86 at 106 and extends to the distalend portion of the forearm portion 84, at which point each cord 98 isreeved around a pin 108. Each cord 98 is further reeved around a pin 110on the dorsal side of the forearm portion and then connected to theslide contact 78 of the linear switch 92 (FIG. 6B). Also, as shown inFIGS. 6B and 6C, each cord 98 extends through a sleeve 104 sewn into theforearm portion 84 and hand portion 86.

The apparatus 80 operates in the following manner. The slide 78 of theswitch 92 is pulled distally (i.e., towards the fingertips) by thedorsal cord 94 upon flexion of the hand. Conversely, the slide 78 of theswitch 92 is pulled proximally (i.e., away from the finger tips) by thepalmar cords 98 upon extension of the hand. If the amount of extensionor flexion is beyond the predetermined range of motion, the switch 92activates an alarm mechanism to alert the user of the excessiveextension or flexion.

Referring now to FIG. 7, there is shown an apparatus 120 according toanother embodiment of the invention. The apparatus 120 includes a splint122 having a forearm portion 124 and a hand portion 126. The handportion 126 has two longitudinally extending side braces 126 connectedby a transverse brace 132. The forearm portion 124 comprises twolongitudinally extending side braces 140, the distal ends of which arepivotally connected to the proximal ends of the side braces 126 of thehand portion 126 so as to define a pivot axis 128 generally coincidentwith the extension and flexion axis of the wrist. As such, the splint122 allows for extension and flexion of the hand/hand portion 126 aboutaxis 128. The proximal ends of the side braces 140 of the forearmportion 124 are coupled, as described below, to the ends of a transversebrace 136 at joints 142 so as to permit ulnar and radial motion of thehand. Connected to the transverse brace 136 is a main longitudinal brace134.

Each joint 142 of the forearm portion 124 comprises a pair of spacedapart extensions 138 connected to one end of the transverse brace 136.An arcuate retaining pin 144 extends through an aperture in the proximalend of each side brace 140 and is secured at each end to an extension138. The pin 144 of each joint 142 extends through a pair of springs 146to center and stabilize the side brace 140 between the extensions 138while permitting sliding of the side brace 140 relative to the pin 144(as indicated by arrows 148) so as to enable ulnar and radial motion ofthe hand/hand piece 126 (as indicated by double-headed arrow 150).

Referring to FIG. 8, there is shown a selectively lockable pivot joint160 according to another embodiment for mechanically limiting theallowable extension and flexion of the hand piece relative to theforearm piece of a splint. The adjustable pivot joint 160 can, forexample, be used with the splint 42 of FIG. 3 or splint 122 of FIG. 7.In one embodiment, the joint 160 includes an inner cylinder 162 havingtwo diametrically opposed extensions 170 and mounted, for example, tothe hand piece of a splint. A concentric outer cylinder 164, which canbe mounted to the forearm piece of the splint, has a plurality ofcircumferentially spaced apertures 166 for receiving locking pins 168.Consequently, extension and flexion of the hand will cause rotation ofthe inner cylinder 162 relative to the outer cylinder 164 about an axisof rotation 172. The rotation of the inner cylinder 162, and thereforethe allowable extension and flexion of the hand, is limited by the pins168 inserted into any of the apertures 166. Other equivalent structurescould be used to mechanically limit the extension and flexion of thehand piece.

Devices are shown and described for illustrative purposes only. Thepresent invention may be subject to many modifications and changeswithout departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof.I therefore claim as my invention all such modifications as come withinthe spirit and scope of the following claims.

1. An apparatus for preventing or treating carpal tunnel syndromecomprising: a splint for wearing on a portion of an upper extremity ofan individual; a switch mechanism connected to the splint; and a warningmechanism electrically coupled to the switch mechanism, the switchmechanism being operable to activate the warning mechanism uponextension of the hand beyond a first predetermined threshold of a rangeof motion and upon flexion of the hand beyond a second predeterminedthreshold of the range of motion.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 whereinthe splint comprises a forearm portion pivotally connected to a handportion with the hand portion being adapted to rotate about a pivot axislocated to generally coincide with the extension and flexion axis of thewrist of the individual when the apparatus is worn.
 3. The apparatus ofclaim 2 wherein the switch mechanism comprises a multi-position rotaryswitch operatively connected to the forearm portion and the hand portionand operable to activate the warning mechanism if the motion of the handexceeds the first predetermined threshold or the second predeterminedthreshold.
 4. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the switch mechanismcomprises a rotary potentiometer operatively connected to the forearmportion and the hand portion and operable to activate the warningmechanism if the motion of the hand exceeds the first predeterminedthreshold or the second predetermined threshold.
 5. The apparatus ofclaim 1 wherein the warning mechanism comprises an audible alarm.
 6. Theapparatus of claim 1 wherein the warning mechanism comprises a vibratingmotor.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the warning mechanismcomprises at least one warning light.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1wherein the switch mechanism is carried by the splint.
 9. The apparatusof claim 1 wherein the warning mechanism is carried by the splint. 10.The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the warning mechanism is carried by thesplint.
 11. An apparatus for preventing or treating carpal tunnelsyndrome comprising: a splint for wearing on a portion of an upperextremity of an individual; a switch mechanism connected to the splint,and a warning mechanism electrically coupled to the switch mechanism,the switch mechanism being operable to activate the warning mechanismupon extension or flexion of the hand beyond a predetermined range ofmotion: wherein the switch mechanism comprises: a lever mounted on thesplint adjacent the forearm of the upper extremity; a cord having firstand second ends, the first end connected to the lever and a second endfor securing to a portion of the hand of the upper extremity whereinmotion of the hand pulls the cord, thereby causing the lever to move andactivate the warning mechanism if the motion of the hand exceeds apredetermined threshold.
 12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the splintcomprises a flexible one-piece construction having a hand portion and aforearm portion.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the switchmechanism comprises: a lever mounted on the forearm portion of thesplint; and at least a first cord and a second cord, the first cordhaving first and second ends, the first end of the first cord connectedto the lever and the second end of the first cord connected to the handportion wherein extension of the hand pulls the first cord, therebycausing the lever to move and activate the warning mechanism if the handis extended beyond the first predetermined threshold, the second cordhaving first and second ends, the first end of the second cord connectedto the lever and the second end of the second cord connected to the handportion wherein flexion of the hand pulls the second cord, therebycausing the lever to move and activate the warning mechanism if the handis flexed beyond the second predetermined threshold.
 14. An apparatusfor preventing or treating carpal tunnel syndrome comprising: a splintfor wearing on a portion of an upper extremity of an individual; aswitch mechanism connected to the splint; and a warning mechanismelectrically coupled to the switch mechanism, the switch mechanism beingoperable to activate the warning mechanism upon extension or flexion ofthe hand beyond a predetermined range of motion; wherein the switchmechanism comprises: a multi-position linear switch mounted on theforearm portion of the splint; and at least one cord having first andsecond ends, the first end connected to the linear switch and a secondend connected to the hand portion wherein motion of the hand pulls thecord, thereby causing the linear switch to move and activate the warningmechanism if the motion of the hand exceeds a predetermined threshold.15. An apparatus for preventing or treating carpal tunnel syndromecomprising: a splint for wearing on a portion of an upper extremity ofan individual; a switch mechanism connected to the splint; a warningmechanism electrically coupled to the switch mechanism, the switchmechanism being operable to activate the warning mechanism uponextension or flexion of the hand beyond a predetermined range of motion;and a microcontroller electrically connected to the switch mechanism andincluding a memory for storing information relating to the extension andflexion of the hand.
 16. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the forearmportion comprises a proximal portion and a distal portion coupled to theproximal portion, wherein the distal portion is movable relative to theproximal portion in the radial and ulnar directions so as to permitradial and ulnar motion of the hand.
 17. A method for preventing ortreating carpal tunnel syndrome in an individual comprising: detectingmotions of the hand of the individual, wherein detecting motions of thehand comprises detecting extension of the hand beyond a firstpredetermined threshold and detecting flexion of the hand beyond asecond predetermined threshold; and immediately notifying the individualof detected motions responsible for carpal tunnel syndrome.
 18. A methodfor preventing or treating carpal tunnel syndrome in an individualcomprising: detecting motions of the hand of the individual; immediatelynotifying the individual of detected motions of the type responsible forcarpal tunnel syndrome: and storing information relating to the motionof the hand on a computer readable medium.
 19. The method of claim 17wherein immediately notifying the individual of detected motionsresponsible for carpal tunnel syndrome comprises activating an alarmwhen the motion of the hand exceeds a predetermined threshold.
 20. Anapparatus for preventing or treating carpal tunnel syndrome comprising:a splint for wearing on a portion of an upper extremity of anindividual, the splint having a forearm portion pivotally connected to ahand portion with the hand portion being adapted to rotate about a pivotaxis located to generally coincide with the extension and flexion axisof the wrist of the individual when the apparatus is worn, the forearmportion having a proximal portion coupled to a distal portion in such amanner so as to permit radial and ulnar motion of the hand; a warningmechanism mounted on the splint; a multi-position rotary switchoperatively connected to the forearm portion and the hand portion andelectrically coupled to the warning mechanism, wherein the switch isoperable to activate the warning mechanism if the motion of the handexceeds a predetermined threshold; and a selectively lockable pivotjoint for limiting the range of motion for extension and flexion of thehand.
 21. An apparatus for preventing or treating carpal tunnel syndromecomprising: a splint for wearing on a portion of an upper extremity ofan individual; a switch mechanism connected to the splint; and a warningmechanism electrically coupled to the switch mechanism the switchmechanism being operable to activate the warning mechanism uponextension or flexion of the hand beyond a predetermined range of motion;wherein the switch mechanism comprises: a potentiometer mounted on theforearm portion of the splint; and at least one cord having first andsecond ends, the first end connected to the potentiometer and a secondend connected to the hand portion wherein motion of the hand pulls thecord, thereby causing the potentiometer to move and activate the warningmechanism if the motion of the hand exceeds a predetermined threshold.22. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the forearm portion is configuredto permit limited motion of the hand in the radial and ulnar directions.23. An apparatus for preventing or treating carpal tunnel syndromecomprising: a switch mechanism operable to detect extension or flexionof a hand beyond a predetermined range of motion; a mounting deviceadapted for wearing on a portion of an upper extremity of an individual,wherein the switch mechanism is mounted to the mounting device; and amicrocontroller electrically connected to the switch mechanism andincluding a memory for storing information relating to the extension andflexion of the hand.
 24. A method for preventing or treating carpaltunnel syndrome in an individual comprising: detecting motions of thehand of the individual; storing information relating to the motion ofthe hand on a computer readable medium; and identifying activities thatinvolve hand motions that cause carpal tunnel syndrome based on theinformation stored on the computer readable medium.
 25. The method ofclaim 24, wherein storing information relating to the motion of the handcomprises storing the type of each motion that is detected and the timeat which each motion is detected.